Tommy (soundtrack)

Tommy is a soundtrack album by The Who with contributions from numerous artists. The soundtrack was used in the 1975 Tommy film that was based on the original album that was released by The Who in 1969. Pete Townshend oversaw the production of this double-LP recording that returned the music to its rock roots, and on which the unrecorded orchestral arrangements he had envisaged for the original Tommy LP were realised by the extensive use of synthesiser.

The soundtrack LP also employed many leading sessions musicians including Caleb Quaye, Phil Chen and Nicky Hopkins (who also receives a "Special Thanks" in the album credits for help with the arrangements) as well as members of The Faces' Ronnie Wood and future Keith Moon replacement Kenney Jones. The song "Pinball Wizard", performed by Elton John, was a major hit when released as a single. Although the music for this song is performed by "The Elton John Band", as he was calling his musical team, the film depicts John being backed by The Who (dressed in pound-note suits). According to the album's back cover credits, the song was the only one not produced by Townshend, helmed instead by Elton's producer, Gus Dudgeon. Townshend performs additional synthesizer and/or guitar on all tracks. Credits to "The Who" indicate performances by Townshend, John Entwistle and Moon jointly, regardless of vocalist.

Track listing
All songs are written and composed by Pete Townshend, except where noted. (For narrative, see Tommy (1975 film).)

The Who:


 * Roger Daltrey – vocals for (grown up) "Tommy" ("Young Tommy" vocals by Alison Dowling)
 * John Entwistle – bass, brass overdubs
 * Keith Moon – drums, vocals for "Uncle Ernie"
 * Pete Townshend – guitars, synthesizers, keyboards, bass, drums, vocals for "Narrator"

"Overture from Tommy"

 * The Who

"Prologue – 1945"

 * John Entwistle – brass overdubs
 * Pete Townshend – all other instruments

"Captain Walker/It's a Boy"

 * Pete Townshend – all instruments

"Bernie's Holiday Camp"

 * The Who

"1951/What about the Boy?"

 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Mike Kellie – drums
 * Mick Ralphs, Caleb Quaye – guitar
 * Chris Stainton – organ

"Amazing Journey"

 * Phil Chen – bass
 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Tony Newman – drums

"Christmas"

 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Vocal chorus – backing vocals

"Eyesight to the Blind"

 * Eric Clapton – vocals and guitar
 * Kenney Jones – drums
 * Arthur Brown – vocals

"Acid Queen"

 * Tina Turner – vocals
 * Kenney Jones – drums
 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Ronnie Wood – guitar

"Do You Think It's Alright?" (1, 2, and 3)

 * Phil Chen – bass
 * Graham Deakin – drums
 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Alan Ross – acoustic guitar

"Cousin Kevin"

 * Tony Newman – drums
 * Dave Wintour – bass

"Fiddle About"

 * The Who

"Sparks"

 * The Who

"Extra, Extra, Extra"

 * Kenney Jones – drums
 * Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
 * Tony Stevens – bass

"Pinball Wizard"

 * Elton John – lead vocals and piano
 * Davey Johnstone – guitar
 * Dee Murray – bass
 * Nigel Olsson – drums
 * Ray Cooper – percussion

"Champagne"

 * The Who

"There's a Doctor"

 * Kenney Jones – drums
 * Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
 * Chris Stainton – piano
 * Ronnie Wood – guitar

"Go to the Mirror"

 * Richard Bailey – drums
 * Phil Chen – bass
 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Caleb Quaye – guitar

"Tommy, Can You Hear Me?"

 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Alan Ross, Chris Stainton – acoustic guitar

"Smash the Mirror!"

 * Kenney Jones – drums
 * Alan Ross – acoustic guitar

"I'm Free"

 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Kenney Jones – drums

"Mother and Son"

 * Pete Townshend – all instruments except bass (John Entwistle)

"Sensation"

 * Phil Chen – bass
 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Alan Ross – acoustic guitar

"Miracle Cure"

 * Kenney Jones – drums
 * Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
 * Tony Stevens – bass

"Sally Simpson"

 * Phil Chen – bass
 * Eric Clapton – guitar
 * Graham Deakin – drums
 * Nicky Hopkins – piano

"Welcome"

 * Pete Townshend – all instruments

"T.V. Studio"

 * Pete Townshend – all instruments

"Tommy's Holiday Camp"

 * Gerald Shaw – organ

"We're Not Gonna Take It"

 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Mike Kelly – drums
 * Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
 * Fuzzy Samuels – bass
 * Chris Stainton – organ
 * Caleb Quaye – guitar
 * Vocal chorus – backing vocals

"See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You"
The Who, plus:


 * Nicky Hopkins – piano
 * Chris Stainton – organ
 * Vocal chorus – backing vocals